ADHD in Adults - Treatment Options
ADHD is a common neurobiological disorder that affects 4.4 percent of the population. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity (depression anxiety, anxiety, addiction to drugs) and significant social, emotional, and occupational impairments.
Medications and psychotherapy are both effective treatments for adults with ADHD. Stimulants like methylphenidate or amphetamine are the most frequently prescribed drugs.
Medications
Many people with ADHD have seen significant improvement in their symptoms and functioning when they take medication. Because of Recommended Internet page that people react to medications, it is crucial for people with ADHD to find a combination that is most effective.
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamines, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for adults suffering from ADHD. They are available in immediate-release (short-acting) tablet or liquid forms and can be taken as often as every three to four hours. Adults may supplement an immediate-release medicine with an extended release long-acting medicine at least once a week to reduce the necessity to take it regularly throughout the day.
Antidepressants such as desipramine have also been proven to be effective in the treatment of adults suffering from ADHD. This class of medications can be used alone or in conjunction with stimulants to enhance their effects. They may also increase the risk of serious side effects, including rapid heartbeats, EKG changes and orthostatic hypotension.
Alpha-2 adrenergic antagonists like alprazolam and clonidine are also used to treat adults suffering from ADHD. These drugs were initially developed to treat hypertension. They have a calming effect and can improve focus, and reduce hyperactivity and impulse control in some adults. However, these medications can result in a drop in blood pressure when they are abruptly cut off or reduced in dosage.
Adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from psychotherapy. Individual talk therapy helps those with ADHD deal with feelings of shame, embarrassment, and resentment towards co-workers and teachers, supervisors and family members who might criticize or nag them. Marriage and family counseling is also a great way to help couples suffering from ADHD better understand each other and improve communication.
Behavioral Therapy
Psychosocial therapy for adults suffering from ADHD is designed to improve daily functioning by teaching skills and strategies. Psychotherapy can also aid those who suffer from ADHD to overcome the low self-esteem and sense of failure that is often associated with this condition.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change the negative thoughts that cause problems in their lives and to develop new ways of thinking and feeling, as well as acting. This short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of illnesses, such as anxiety and depression. It can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments.
CBT may also include group therapy. This is especially beneficial for those suffering from ADHD because it enables them to meet others who face similar challenges and learn about how they manage their ADHD symptoms. It can be provided in person or over the phone. One study compared the results of CBT against traditional therapy for adults with ADHD and found that both treatments led to improvement in self-report assessments of symptoms, functioning, and quality of life.
A number of studies have compared CBT with other psychosocial treatments for people with ADHD and all have shown significant reductions in self-reported ADHD symptoms, with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were attributed to a variety of modalities that include cognitive and interpersonal behavioral therapy, social skill training, problem-solving exercises, and mindfulness meditation.
However, caution is advised in comparing the efficacy of various treatments for adult ADHD. It is likely that differences in the outcomes are due to a range of factors, including treatment features and the methods used. A few studies have examined the effectiveness of neurofeedback, an approach that involves wearing an electrode-lined cap while doing cognitive tasks to pinpoint areas in the brain that there is too much or little activity - and then instructing the person to manage these patterns.
Counseling
Many people with ADHD have anxiety or mood disorders that require treatment. Counseling can address these problems that may be contributing ADHD symptoms. Interpersonal therapy is one of the psychotherapy methods that can aid in improving the ability of a person to manage conflicts and create lasting relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to help manage self-destructive, impulsive and negative behaviors that can cause difficulties at school or at work.
In some cases psychotherapy is sometimes used in combination with medication for adults who are seeking treatment for adhd. People with multiple disorders like substance abuse, depression, and bipolar disorder need to be assessed to ensure their symptoms are not worsened through the use of medications to treat ADHD. Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, lead poisoning and a history of seizures, should be treated more aggressively.
When ADHD is serious enough to affect the quality of life and daily functioning, intensive outpatient programs may be recommended. These programs provide an organized therapy that is more intense than conventional outpatient psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps adults suffering from ADHD enhance their ability to manage time management, impulse control, planning, and executive function. It helps them understand and express their emotions and uses worksheets and activities to make the lessons more engaging. Mindfulness meditation training improves CBT and enhances a person's ability to focus and manage their emotions. It enhances the capacity of a person to manage anxiety and stress. It can assist them in dealing with sadness, anger and other difficult emotions that may be contributing to their ADHD.
Occupational Therapy
Adults with ADHD report difficulties functioning at work and at home. In addition to affecting their work performance, these conditions can cause problems with relationships and can cause financial problems. Therapy that addresses these issues can help increase self-esteem, address underlying problems and establish healthy coping mechanisms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be a beneficial treatment for adults with ADHD because it teaches you how to change your negative thoughts and behaviors. It concentrates on teaching time management techniques and overcoming thinking distortions which contribute to negative moods, and the perception of a limited number of options.
Many adults with ADHD also suffer from depression or anxiety disorders. These psychiatric disorders can reduce or exacerbate the effectiveness of certain medications used to treat ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to first treat the most severe comorbid condition and then monitor the response to the medication prior to treating the other condition.
Occupational therapy can teach you how to manage your life and your work, create predictable routines, manage time and money and build a positive self-image. It can also help you learn relaxation methods that may reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity. Yoga and other exercises can aid in improving your concentration by stabilizing your body during various poses.
Counseling for families and marriage can assist adults suffering from ADHD to solve the problems they create for their spouses, kids and other family members. They often complain about being insecure, unorganized, and prone to making impulsive decisions. Therapy and classes where spouses and other family members are taught about ADHD can help you develop better relationships. Furthermore, it can help you and your loved ones understand that these problems are related to the patient's ADHD rather than an absence of care or refusing to cooperate.
Clinical Trials
Adult ADHD is a neurobiological disorder which is very frequent. It is accompanied by high levels of comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and addiction disorders. Treatment options include psychosocial and medical interventions. There are many medication options for adults suffering from ADHD. Certain of these medications have been evaluated in trials. These studies have exposed the advantages and drawbacks of the medications.
Adults with ADHD have the same symptoms as children, but it can be difficult to identify them since the symptoms of childhood may not persist into adulthood. In addition, adults with ADHD might not have a family history of the disorder in their family or they may not remember experiencing symptoms. A thorough medical history is essential to help determine whether the symptoms are caused by an illness such as a thyroid problem or sleep apnea, vision and hearing problems or lead poisoning.
Adults with ADHD are treated with stimulants or nonstimulants. Stimulants have the highest response rates for adults suffering from ADHD. Their responsiveness rates range between 70 and 80percent. Amphetamine and methylphenidate are the most commonly prescribed stimulants. Methylphenidate is also accessible as a transdermal solution, which allows for a continuous medication delivery throughout the day.
Adults suffering from ADHD can take non-stimulant drugs that are based on norepinephrine, or dopamine. Desipramine is one of the most studied tricyclic, and has been proven to be effective in adult patients with ADHD. It is a low dose medicine and is recommended to increase the dose by 50 mg every 7 days until the desired response is observed.
Bupropion XL is a different antidepressant that has been shown to be effective in adults with ADHD. It is a dopamine agonist and is able to block the reuptake of norepinephrine at the presynaptic transporter, thereby increasing its presence in the brain. The drug is known to improve mood in adults and reduce hyperactivity, however, it's not as effective in improving concentration or cognitive functions as stimulants.